By BY ROBERT JAKLICH
March 21, 2014 at 6:02 p.m.Updated March 20, 2014 at 10:21 p.m.

It has truly been an outstanding year in the Victoria ISD. It has been said, "In the winds of change, we can find our true direction." In regard to the Victoria Independent School District, this certainly holds true today.

Twenty months ago, we began a mission that every employee would serve as a change agent and difference maker in the lives of our students. We have clearly accomplished this goal. We have aligned our systems to build relationships on trust and focused on every student's unique potential. By committing our resources and our expertise to "every child, every classroom, every day," we have been able to provide our students with a future of hope and endless possibilities.

One way to create excellence for all students is to provide a comprehensive early childhood program that prepares pre-K students to handle the rigors of classroom instruction and to enhance their readiness for regular school academia. Currently, the VISD is in the process of holding our pre-K registration.

If you have a child who will be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, he or she may be eligible for pre-kindergarten services in the VISD. Registrations are still being accepted at all elementary schools. To determine if your child is eligible, please visit or call your neighborhood school office or the VISD Federal Programs Office at 361-788-9294.

Families who register pre-kindergarten students will receive a book from Scholastic called "Clifford's First School Day," which is available in both English and Spanish. Parents will receive an invitation to the second annual Minnow Camp to be in all pre-kindergarten classrooms Aug. 21 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Other important dates and information on the first day of school will also be provided.

The Victoria ISD believes strongly in the benefits of early education instruction, and we are passionate in our commitment to the 692 pre-K students we are currently serving in our schools. The motto of the VISD Early Childhood Program is "small steps toward big futures." Studies show that students who participate in strong early education programs are more likely to graduate in four years, take more advanced and higher-level courses and are less likely to drop out of school than students who did not attend an early education program. Research also indicates that students who attend a high-quality early education program were better equipped to face the rigors of school as well as life.

The current pre-K curriculum, Developmental Learning Materials (DLM), offers a comprehensive, child-centered instruction with strong teacher support and an emphasis on 21st-century technology. It focuses on literacy, math, science, social studies, fine arts, health and safety, personal development, physical development and technology. DLM also links essential disciplines to make instruction more relevant, which in turn helps children recognize patterns in their learning.

For complete or further information on pre-K eligibility and registration, please visit our website at visd.net.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated: "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." On behalf of our board of trustees and the entire school district, thank you for supporting our students' ability to dream big for a brighter future.

Robert Jaklich is the superintendent for the Victoria Independent School District. Contact him at 361-788-9202 or through the VISD website, visd.com.